text:
NEW YORK — Shoppers will be able to buy any brand of tires on Amazon.com, have them shipped to a Sears Auto Center and then bring in their car to get them installed.
It's the latest deal between Sears and Amazon as the struggling department store operator seeks to boost sales. Last year, Amazon began selling Sears's Kenmore brand of ovens, washers and other appliances.
Sears says the partnership with Amazon announced Wednesday is currently available at 47 Sears Auto Centers in eight cities, including Chicago, Dallas and New York. It plans to eventually roll it out to all 400 of its auto centers nationwide in the coming weeks.
Shares of Sears Holdings Corp. spiked 15 percent after the deal was announced.


text:
Toyota may be falling out of the EV race lately but it has big plans for the future. The company’s CEO shed some light onto the company’s plans for the future and that involves a whole lot of R&D and EVs in general.
Toyota has already established a so-called BEV Factory – a division inside Toyota tasked with developing EVs, batteries and everything EV-related. The team should introduce a new generation of EVs in 2026 with a range of at least 1,000 km. The Japanese carmaker plans to use cheap LFP batteries for its near-future EVs by reducing the cost by 40% and improving efficiency by 20%. These batteries should be able to charge from 10 to 80% in just 30 minutes or less. As of now, Toyota is using these LFP batteries for its hybrid cars.
In the 2027-2028 period, Toyota expects to release its first solid-state battery-powered EV with an additional 20% improvement in efficiency, which would put the estimated range of up to 1,200 km and charge from 10 to 80% should take not more than 10 minutes. However, the first solid-state battery cars would be hybrids.
Still, the company says it has made a big breakthrough in the field and it’s very optimistic about delivering a market-ready product by 2028.
To achieve these ranges, Toyota is using AI to design its cars to improve aerodynamics and weight. The Chief Technology Officer also spoke of implementing a casting technology similar to Tesla’s Cybertruck production process. It would significantly reduce the cost and make the chassis a tad more rigid too.
The CTO also touched on hydrogen, saying that a Hydrogen Factory unit within the firm should start working by the end of this month and is working closely with BMW in developing hydrogen-powered vehicles.
By 2030, Toyota believes that 1.7 million of its total 3.5 million electric Toyotas will be of the next-generation EV with at least a 1,000 km range.

domain: news


text:
Epic Games, the maker of the popular game, provoked the tech giants by violating their policies, then released a social media campaign and lawsuits to confront them.
By Jack Nicas, Kellen Browning and Erin Griffith
While Joe Biden has criticized the largest tech companies, his campaign and transition teams have welcomed allies of Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple onto its staff and policy groups.
By David McCabe and Kenneth P. Vogel
Berkshire reported earnings of $26.4 billion in the second quarter, a turnaround from its $49.7 billion loss in the first quarter, when the pandemic caused a plunge in the stock market.
By Peter Eavis
Saying Apple forced changes during months of rejection, the social network is releasing a version for iPhone and iPad users today.
By Seth Schiesel
Mr. Schiller will be replaced by Greg Joswiak, a longtime executive at the company.
By Davey Alba and Brian X. Chen
As lawmakers debate whether Apple, Google, Facebook, and Amazon are monopolies, a reporter recalls her attempt to avoid interacting with the companies.
By Kashmir Hill
Big tech companies reported bumper profits in the shadow of congressional scrutiny over their outsize market power.
Even though the tech industry’s four biggest companies were stung by a slowdown in spending, they reported a combined $28 billion in profits on Thursday.
By Daisuke Wakabayashi, Karen Weise, Jack Nicas and Mike Isaac
Congress was once filled with “Atari Democrats.” This week's hearings showed their transformation into trust busters.
By Margaret O’Mara
The congressional antitrust hearing showed that concerns about the tech stars aren’t going away.
By Shira Ovide


text:
Added sugar found in ‘pure’ coconut water
COCONUT water sold as a healthy alternative to fizzy juice and labelled “pure” was found to contain added sugar.
A probe by the Food Standard Agency’s specialist crime unit found 60 per cent of samples tested had sugar as an undeclared extra.
Coconut water, which is the drink of choice for stars from Madonna to Rihanna, is worth £100million in the UK. In a sting, the FSA’s National Food Crime Unit seized 400 tons of coconut water.
Of 12 samples tested, seven were positive for added sugar. Brands affected included Chi, Tropical Sun and Go Coco.
A Chi spokesman said: “We take the matter extremely seriously and have, since then, put in many checks to ensure our standards are met before the product leaves Asia.”
PROBE Coconut water


text:
Digital Crew receives national recognition from Independent experts at Deloitte and Westpac representatives among the top winners
The Global multilingual digital consultancy – Digital Crew, qualified as winners of Westpac’s 2018 Business of Tomorrow that was judged by independent experts from Deloitte together with Westpac representatives that acknowledge highest achieving businesses with immense potential to help tomorrow’s customers, economy and society. The business program announced the winners on July 20th, 2018 on their website – https://businessesoftomorrow.com.au/winners/winners-2018
‘As a Multilingual Digital Marketing Consultancy that intends to assist brands to go global by being multi-local, we feel honoured to have been selected as winners of Westpac Businesses of Tomorrow 2018 awards, for the levels of diversity we are able to access’ – Ophenia Liang, CEO & Co-founder of Digital Crew.
Digital Crew has been helping Australian and international brands navigate the Chinese market to tap into potential opportunities and bridge cultural and linguistic gaps between brands expanding in different countries. The multilingual digital marketing firm has come a long way from a team of two to the employee strength of fifty plus at present, growing towards a troop of hundred plus by the end of 2018 across Australia, Hong Kong, China, India, New York and Japan with more than a 300% year-on-year growth and has upscaled the marketing game for more than a 100 companies and brands in the education, healthcare, beauty & wellness, non-profitable sectors etc. The firm that has established strategic alliances with Alibaba Cloud, Baidu and Tencent, works across each location to expand their global reach by building agile teams with multilingual talents of digital specialties. They intend to grow to a team of 100+ employees by 2020, across all locations.
“Digital Crew’s team is highly capable in terms of strategy planning and operation execution. They have extensive knowledge across China and other regional areas across APAP, including Australia and New Zealand. Their multi-lingual capacity and technical expertise places them strongly ahead of many agencies in our modern and evolving business environment.” says Melvin Tan (Manager, Digital Acquisition; Survey Sampling International).
Digital Crew is also a winner of The City of Sydney Business Awards, New South Wales Business Awards 2017, Young Entrepreneur 2017 along with being finalists for the ACBA awards in 2017 & 2018 for excelling in business innovation, creative industries and the digital economy for bringing meaningful impact to the bilateral trade bracket between Australia and China from a creative and innovative perspective.


text:
KALISPELL — The Kalispell Downtown Association is kicking off the holiday season with the annual Kalispell Art Walk & Holiday Stroll.
This celebration will be on Friday, Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and people will be able to start holiday shopping -- and also enter to win one of several $100 gift certificates for downtown participating locations.
Participants are able to pick up walking cards the day of the event at participating businesses. Over 35 local businesses will be open for shopping. There will also be music at some locations and something to eat and drink too.
The entire event is a way for community members to enjoy an evening while supporting local businesses in downtown Kalispell.
The Crown of the Continent Choir will be singing traditional Christmas carols at 6 p.m. followed by a Christmas tree lighting, which will take place during the song fest at Depot Park, hosted by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce.
For further information, go to Kalispell Downtown Association's website for a list of participating businesses.


text:
In honor of National Manufacturing Day, 22 companies announced plans to locate in or expand in Indiana, together committing to invest more than $154 million in their Hoosier operations and create up to 1,090 new jobs over the next several years.
“Each day, Hoosiers across the state are developing new solutions and creating crucial products that are shipped to customers across the globe,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “I’m honored to proclaim today National Manufacturing Day in Indiana, recognizing the 8,500 businesses in all corners of the state, and to join in celebrating 22 manufacturers that are committing to even more growth here, creating new opportunities for Indiana workers and their families.”
Indiana is a leader in manufacturing, with 8,500 manufacturing facilities and the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the U.S., supporting one in five Hoosier jobs. Manufacturers in Indiana have added 107,300 new jobs since July 2009, ranking No. 2 in the nation and growing at a rate of 25 percent.
The state’s manufacturing industry is diverse, boasting the world’s largest RV production, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the market; the country’s largest steel production, making 27 percent of U.S. steel; the second-largest automotive sector in the nation by GDP; and a leading orthopedics industry, supporting at least 35 percent of the global sector in Warsaw, Ind., alone. Indiana also supports strong food and beverage, hardwoods, plastics and rubbers, chemicals and machinery and equipment production.
The 22 companies announcing expansion plans today are growing across 17 counties, from southern to northern Indiana. They represent both homegrown Hoosier companies and global businesses with international headquarters in countries like Japan, Germany and Sweden, and they are creating new jobs in a variety of manufacturing subsectors such as automotive, food and beverage, glass and metals, hardwoods, machinery and more.


text:
Tim Cook is a frequent visitor to the White House and it is known to everyone in the United States. On Thursday, president Donald Trump discussed trade and other vital issues with the Apple CEO.
Notably, Apple has to suffer a lot following bitter trade relations between the US and China. President mulls his threat to hike tariffs on imports from China.
Donald Trump Discusses “Trade, US investment, immigration and privacy” with Tim Cook
President’s daughter Ivanka Trump shared details of this meeting during an event held by the president with governors on the development of skills. Ivanka is also an advisor of the president.
Tim Cook and Ivanka have worked on the latter’s job training and education causes. Cook is instrumental in bringing jobs and investment back to the United States, and therefore, the president includes his name in the list of business leaders.
According to White House spokesman Judd Deere, president Trump discussed “Trade, US investment, immigration and privacy” with Tim Cook. When Reuters attempted to speak to the Apple spokesperson but failed.
Increase in tariffs on Chinese goods is the primary issue Trump wants to discuss with Tim Cook. Trump is likely to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, at the end of June. Trump added that he would decide after this meeting.
Trump wants Xi Jinping to change trade practices conducted by China, but negotiations between the two leaders never reached any conclusion.
Until now, companies that deal in consumer electronics like phones and tablets, have dodged the tariffs, but they will be incorporated in the next hike.
According to sources, the US government is planning to investigate the market power of large technology companies. Defending his company, Cook said Apple is not too large, but it has a moderate share of the market.
- Apple’s Contract Manufacturers Explore Opportunities Beyond China
- Apple To Expand Distribution of Apple TV Software
- Apple’s New Restrictions on Kids’ Apps Negatively Impact PBS
- Employees of Apple & Goldman Sachs Tested ‘Beta’ Version of Apple Card
Do you think tariff hike on Chinese goods will benefit the US and Apple? Share your feedback with us on Facebook , Twitter, and Telegram. Also, make sure to install our app to read other news stories.


text:
BENGALURU: India is inching closer to hit the unicorn century. Bengaluru-based neobank Open
has entered the unicorn club after it raised $50 million led by IIFL
along with existing investors Temasek, Tiger Global
and 3one4 Capital. Last year, the SME-focused neo-banking platform raised $100 million led by Temasek with participation from Google and SBI Investment, one of Japan’s leading venture capital firms.
Though media reports said Open became India’s 100th unicorn, data for Venture Intelligence showed that India has 96 unicorns till date minting 14 new unicorns in the first five months of this calendar year. Some of the media reports have factored in Zoho and Zerodha
as unicorns. However, the two tech firms haven’t raised external capital till date.
Minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal tweeted, “India hits a century in style! Bengaluru-based startup becomes country’s 100th Unicorn. India = Ideas + Innovation + Investments,” he said.
Anish Achuthan, co-founder & CEO of Open, said, the neobank didn’t raise money for capital, but was looking at a strategic partner to expand its lending portfolio to SMEs. The funding would be deployed to accelerate Open’s existing product lines Zwitch
, its embedded finance platform, and BankingStack, enterprise banking solution for banks, drive global expansion and reach over 5 million customers within the next one year from the 2.3 million currently. Open is targeting to disburse $1 billion in lending through the new suite of products on the platform in the next 12 months. Achuthan said the funds will also be used to strengthen the leadership team and expand its employee base from 500 to 1,000 within the year.
India’s march to 100th unicorn has an interesting mix of enterprise, fintech, gaming, logistics, edtech, healthcare and consumer tech startups making it to the startup roster. India’s Ethereum scaling platform Polygon has raised about $450 million recently that took its valuation to Bengaluru and US-based open-source engine Hasura has raised $100 million in a funding round led by Greenoaks that values the company at $1 billion.
India’s startup ecosystem has added more firepower becoming the third-largest hub globally after the US and China. India has more than 61,400 startups. However, regulatory bottlenecks have led to a flight of startups to Dubai, Singapore and the US in areas like crypto and gaming. Sharad Sharma
, co-founder of iSPIRT (Indian Software Product Industry RoundTable), said its data indicates that 34 of the 90 unicorns are not domiciled in India. “This is a big issue for the future health of the startup ecosystem. More active steps need to be taken to resolve pending items in the stay-in-India checklist. “
He said over the years, more and more startups have been focusing on the India market. “At present 58 of the 90 unicorns are exclusively India-focused. Over the next few years, as the use of India Stack becomes more prevalent, the prominence of Bharat market-based startups will grow rapidly. A lot of new health-tech startup unicorns will emerge. They will join fintech startups to erode the dominance of e-commerce startups in the unicorn list right now,” Sharma added.


text:
AirPlay is a technology created by Apple that lets you stream the display signal from your Mac to your second- or third-generation Apple TV. As well as beaming movies and music from iTunes, more-recent Macs let you use AirPlay mirroring to extend or duplicate your Mac’s desktop to your TV. Older Macs can’t stream AirPlay video out of the box, because Apple restricts mirroring to newer models, citing hardware requirements, but with an app called AirParrot, you can overcome those restrictions.
It's well known that Apple was a little late to the streaming music party, and thus its fantastically expensive acquisition of Beats Music and Beats Electronics makes sense for a company looking to get ahead in the business. It'll need it, too. The Wall Street Journal reported today that traditional digital music sales on iTunes have dropped by 13 percent so far this year.
Oh, Beats — we hardly knew ya. For a while there it looked as though Apple would use the Beats streaming music service as its own entity, preferring to keep its own brand attached to iTunes Radio. But that's no longer the case (if it ever was), according to a new report. Indeed, only a couple of months after acquiring the service in May, Apple is reportedly getting ready to shut it down.
Two months have flown by since word of Apple's acquisition of Beats Electronics first surfaced, but only now has the Cupertino company gotten around to adding the brand's Beats Music app to the App Store's "Made by Apple" list.
We're back with another eclectic mix of apps this week, including a couple of new ways to call or message others, updates to a trio of streaming and informational apps, and some impressive ways to save time and keep tabs on your small business expenses. Time to fire up the App Store and take this week's lineup for a spin!
The fanfare has come and gone, but Apple's widely publicized acquisition of Beats Music isn't in the clear yet. As Reuters reports, Antitrust regulators in the European Union announced today that they would decide whether or not to clear the bid by July 30.
With AirPlay, you can connect your iOS device to your Apple TV and enjoy what’s happening on your little screen on a much larger HD television. But not all of us have an Apple TV. Some might even be using a Mac mini as a media center, and despite the fact that Apple makes Macs, it isn’t allowing us to display our iOS devices on them. Thankfully, third-party developers saw an opportunity. X-Mirage is the latest app to offer this feature, and using it couldn’t be easier.
We reported this morning that it looked as though Apple was going ahead with its hotly discussed acquisition of Beats Electronics, and now it's official. As of today, Apple is buying Beats Electronics and its associated Beats Music steaming service for $3 billion (a bit down from the $3.2 billion originally suggested).
Music is a big part of Apple's contemporary success, and now it looks as though the Cupertino company is looking to expand its offerings in the field beyond iTunes and its own accessories. In fact,the Financial Times reports (via MacRumors) that Apple may be less than a week away from acquiring Beats Electronics, the headphone maker and streaming music service started by Dr. Drew and Jimmy Iovine.
Beats Music made a nice splash into the streaming music service pool earlier this year with distinctive features and great recommendation functions, but the iOS version was previously limited to iPhone for its first few months of existence. Luckily, that changed today as the Dr. Dre-backed app became fully universal, delivering full-screen iPad functionality in the process.


text:
Uncertainty has gripped the stock market thus far in 2022. First, inflation has grown to over 7%, causing the Federal Reserve to turn more hawkish, and many now expect at least four interest rate hikes this year. This has tempered the valuations of many stocks.
Add to this a market at all-time highs and a developing international crisis on the Russia-Ukraine border, and many investors are running for the hills. Other savvy investors see this as an opportunity.
As was the case in late 2018 and March 2020, the most recent major market downturns, such events often present terrific buying opportunities. When these broad market sell-offs happen, long-term investors must identify the stocks and companies that have been caught in the bearish net but remain fundamentally strong. Companies with tremendous cash flow, growing revenue, and visionary management end up on sale.
That is the case with RH (RH -2.02%). This luxury brand of home furnishings doesn't often discount its products, but its stock has been thrown into the bargain bin after falling over 45% from its all-time high.
Don't underestimate management
RH was not always a luxury brand. It was formerly Restoration Hardware, a cash-and-carry retailer of everyday household goods and furniture. The company struggled, and CEO Gary Friedman decided to transform it from top to bottom in 2016. Cash-and-carry was out as the company switched to a direct-to-consumer membership and catalog model, complete with high-end gallery showplaces. This shift was announced in Feb. 2016, and the stock initially plummeted. But since then, an investment of $10,000 would be worth over $100,000 today.
Management's vision was a success, and the company's revenue, cash flows, and profits have grown along with the stock price. Now, it has another focus: international expansion. RH is set to open in the United Kingdom in 2022, followed by new galleries in Paris, Munich, and other regions. Globally, the company sees a market worth $20 billion to $25 billion. This is an aggressive outlook, but management has proved the doubters wrong before.
The results are impressive
In the fiscal 2021 third quarter, RH posted revenue of over $1 billion, an increase of 19% over the same period in 2020. This comes despite significant supply chain headaches related to COVID-19. More impressively, its operating margin increased to 27.1%, an enviable figure for a retailer. The growing revenue and profitability have allowed the company to generate $380 million in free cash flow through the first nine months of the fiscal year.
Because of the recent drop, the stock now trades at an attractive valuation as well. In fact, its price-to-earnings ratio has fallen below pre-pandemic levels as you can see below.
RH stock does have its risks. Not everyone believes in the story, as evidenced by the high percentage of shares sold short. As of Jan. 14, 2022, over 15% of the float was sold short. Cultivating a luxury brand is challenging as consumer tastes can change on a dime. International expansion has serious risks too, especially as COVID continues to wreak havoc on global supply chains, which can stifle RH's results and delay deliveries to customers. Still, the recent results show the company has flourished despite these headwinds.
Is now the time to buy RH?
RH's impressive turnaround story is far from over -- there is an enormous opportunity for the company as it looks abroad. Recent results have shown resilient demand for the company's products, even during a global pandemic. Operating margins are impressive, revenue is growing, and the company is generating solid cash flows.
If management continues to execute well, this investment could provide outsized returns for long-term investors.


text:
After paying $580 million for MySpace in 2005, News Corp. has sold MySpace to a "little-known ad-targeting firm" called Specific Media for a mere $35 million. What could they possibly want, and do, with the once-powerful, now-peripheral social networking site? Here, four theories:
1. MySpace can be profitable if it focuses on music
Sure, the site's days of dominating the booming social networking world are behind it, but "there's probably some sort of profitable business that can be rebuilt," says analyst Michael Gartenberg, as quoted by CNET. The key will be reclaiming the site's roots by making music the focus once again. If MySpace regains its perch as the place where new artists build followings, and friends share music, it could find a niche.
2. It's all about advertising
Specific actually got "MySpace for a steal," says the International Business Times. "The deal will give Specific Media instant access to the data" of tens of millions of "MySpace users for targeted advertisements, besides giving the company a media platform of its own from where it can sell its ads."
3. The headline-grabbing deal makes Specific a player
This deal isn't about getting access to user data for advertising purposes, says Specific Media CEO Tim Vanderhook as quoted by AdAge. "With the acquisition of MySpace, Specific looks more like a Yahoo or a Google than it does just an ad network." Tens of millions of people are still loyal MySpace users. It's an "iconic brand" that will help elevate the Specific Media brand from ad guys to a "digital media company."
4. Justin Timberlake is on board
The actor/popstar has invested an "undisclosed amount" in MySpace, and is teaming up with Specific in an effort to "rebuild and reinvigorate" the once-great social networking site. According to Vanderhook, the celeb will have an office in MySpace's Beverly Hills headquarters and half a dozen people working for him. Apparently Timberlake "wasn't satisfied with just playing a social media impresario in the movies, so now he's becoming one in real life," says Ryan Nakashima for the Associated Press.


text:
Huawei Consumer Business Group has opened up a new shop, a stylish brand shop, that’s aimed to boost the presence and sales of the firm. It’s been a very good year for Huawei, that’s on track to beat 100 million handsets shipped.
The new store opened in Thailand and has a clear Huawei branding, a wide open hands on space and I’m willing to bet that price reductions also apply. Red and white are the main colors used here, combining luxury with comfort and lots of room between isles. The likes of Huawei Watch and Huawei G7 Plus will be showcased there and many new products, like the Mate 8 will probably also be launched locally in this store.
Huawei has come a long way over the past decade, from the behind the scenes communication and telecom device maker to the reputed and respected smartphone maker it is now. With brands shops like these and especially if they reach Europe and USA, there’s no stopping in overtaking Samsung over the next 5 years.


text:
The first ever cannabis “farmers market” in Massachusetts was held amid a small group of farmers protesting the event for co-opting the term “farmer.”
Maine’s largest cannabis industry business group blasted the state’s proposed regulatory update for adult-use cannabis in a public hearing before the Office of Marijuana Policy.
The lottery winners of Illinois’ 185 adult-use dispensary licenses are going to have to wait more, maybe months more.
Michigan’s largest cannabis producers released a soft, fluffy salvo Monday in their guerilla war of gentle voter persuasion this week with their plan to roll out big medical cannabis discounts for medical patients.
Connecticut enacted its first round of adult-use cannabis regulations this week.
Massachusetts’ cannabis testing bottleneck has been swept away by a boom in cannabis testing labs opening for business.
Hundreds of Illinois cannabis license holders will hold their breath once more on Tuesday, as a thirteen-month old lawsuit over the award of 185 dispensary license applications goes to court one more time.
A fight in Maine over residency requirements for cannabis licensing that potentially has national implications, moved to the Federal First Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month.
Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board settled on a series of recommended license fee schedules and social equity discounts for the state legislature.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.


text:
Roblox is hosting a Lil Nas X concert in game on Nov. 14 with a preshow starting on Nov. 13.
The preshow will start on Friday at 7 p.m. EST and the concert will start on Saturday at 4 p.m. EST. For those in other regions who will miss the concert due to timezone difficulties, encores will be formed on Nov. 15 at 1 a.m. EST and 12 p.m. EST.
To join in, you’ll need to make a Roblox account (it’s free) and download the game on your preferred platform. After doing that, you can hit the green plus button here to launch the game and join the event directly. In game, you’ll be able to participate in scavenger hunts to earn special Lil Nas X emotes as well.
Lil Nas X is not the first to host a digital concert in a video game and he’s certainly not going to be the last. Travis Scott’s Fortnite concert had over 27 million players watching, so it’s not surprising to see artists do similar things.


text:
Roehr have put their 1250sc Factory Demo up for sale on eBay and we’re surprised to find out that the 180 horsepower American sport bike housing a supercharged Harley-Davidson Revolution motor is available at just $19,995. Ok, we admit that this is not cheap for the average sport bike buyer, but for a Roehr admirer who’s only retention from buying the thing new was the $45,000 price tag, the Demo bike qualifies as a bargain. It only has 2600 miles on the clock and it’s as exclusive as they get, although we have a hunch that this isn’t the way it will pay itself up to a very lucky and enthusiastic motorcyclists who will get his hands on it. If you plan on being that guy, then work your magic on eBay and have it sent to you.
You can find more about the Roehr 1250sc by reading our article about it here .
Ever since Erik Buell started getting his hands dirty and borrowing Harley-Davidson engines to power his sports and later on superbike two-wheeled creations, we’ve been eagerly expecting the next big clue that there’s some competition around. The answer came with the 2010 Roehr 1250sc, an American-built superbike powered by a Harley-Davidson V-Rod engine and we really must say that the bike is no disappointment whatsoever. We support this affirmation with statements made by top motorcycle journalists writing for Motorcycle-USA and Motorcycle. These guys got the chance to ride the only prototype available and we tend to believe that what they’re saying about the bike is true.
Roehr Motorcycles has just allowed reservations for the new 1250sc model which will be available this summer. Claimed being the most powerful and implicit the fastest running production bike that America has to offer, it already starts to impress and you couldn’t expect less.


text:
Monday, April 23, 2007
Colombia Economy: Full Speed Ahead
GDP and FDI continue growing at significant rates,
driven by high confidence in President Alvaro Uribe
and his policies.
BY CHRONICLE STAFF
As Colombian president Alvaro Uribe met a group of foreign investors today, foreign economists and investment banks continue to remain bullish on the outlook for Colombia's economy.
"It is difficult not to expect the first quarter of the year to show an aggregate expansion of more than 7 percent year over year," Bear Stearns said Friday, pointing to recent data showing solid growth in industry, retail, energy demand and cement production. "We continue to expect the rate of growth of the Colombian economy to reach 6.3 percent year over year in 2007."
That's higher than forecasts from JP Morgan (6.0 percent), local think tank Fedesarrollo (5.5 percent) and National Association of Financial Institutions (5.3 percent). Last year, Colombia's economy expanded by 6.8 percent - its best result in 29 years.
INVESTMENT BOOM: FDI in Colombia is setting new records. Today, President Alvaro Uribe (second from left) met with Jean-Charles Naouri and other executives of Casino Guichard-Perrachon, the convenience store operator in France. (Photo: Miguel Angel Solano/SNE).
Meanwhile, Credit Suisse predicts that foreign direct investment in Colombia will surpass last year's level of $6.3 billion. "We think that net FDI in 2007 will probably exceed the level that it reached last year, as there several public and private transactions that are expected to be completed in coming months," Credit Suisse analyst Carola Sandy said in commentary last week.
FOREIGN INVESTOR CONFIDENCE
Uribe met Monday with a delegation that included Jean-Charles Naouri, CEO of Casino Guichard-Perrachon (the top convenience store operator in France) and Joel Ornstein, CEO of U.S.-based Euristates, Inc. (a subsidiary of French investment company Euris). Casino last year acquired local retail chain Carulla-Vivero last year for $110 million. It already owns a minority stake in Exito, the largest retailer in the country, and plans to gain full control.
Other major investments last year included Swiss-based Glencore's $656.4 million acquisition of 51 percent of the oil refinery in Cartagena and Luxemburg-based Millicom's acquisition of Colombia Movil for $479.9 million.
Last month, Brazilian steel company Votorantim acquired Colombian steelmaker AceriasPaz del Rio for $491 million. And the Brazilians may make even further investments as well.
"We believe that Colombia...is in full process of growth, is a country where the commercial rules and contracts are clear and respected", João Bosco Silva, managing director of Votorantim Metals, said in a statement in connection with the acquisition. "Thus, we will have the opportunity to evaluate growth alternatives also in other performance areas of VM (Nickel and Zinc), because we have a long term intention in Colombia."
is also expected to garner significant interest for the 20 percent of
state oil company Ecopetrol that is scheduled for sale to private investors
in August. The Colombian government is also planning to sell off electricity-sector
assets such as Isagen and ISA, which will come in addition to several
major private deals. "Therefore, in 2007, net dollar inflows into
the country should remain sizable despite the expected worsening of
the current account," Sandy says.
Meanwhile, the economy is going full speed ahead. Industrial production in February was 14.6 percent higher than the same month last year, while retail sales grew by 14.2 percent. The industrial production grow was even higher than originally forecast by Bear Stearns.
"Retail sales also grew strongly in February... leaving everything set for the first quarter to show an expansion of at least 13 percent year over year in sales," Bear Stearns says in its commentary. It expects Colombia's fast-growing reserves to reach $20 billion in the next few weeks.
The increased optimism in Colombia comes as President Alvaro Uribe is under fire for alleged ties to paramilitary groups. He has denied the ties and today received clear support from all of Colombia's major business organizations.
"We have an economy that is growing at historic high levels, resulting in ...reduced poverty," Luis Carlos Villegas, the head of the national business council (Consejo Gremial Nacional) said after meeting Uribe, along with other prominent business leaders. "Interest rates are at historic low levels, with unemployment falling, investment growing [and] exports doubling each year."
© Copyright Latin Business Chronicle
- H O M E -


text:
Five Guys’ first Australian restaurant opening on September 20
The 500 square metre outlet in Penrith, Sydney will initially offer takeaway.
The operator of Five Guys in Australia has confirmed its first restaurant in the country will open on September 20.
The 500 square metre outlet in Penrith, Sydney will initially offer takeaway only “in a COVID-safe manner.”
“I'm excited to finally be able to open the doors to our first store in Penrith with many more Australian FIVE GUYS restaurants on the horizon already planned,” said Robby Andronikos, Five Guys Australia’s brand manager.
Last year, QSR Media first reported that the American fast casual chain entered into a master franchise agreement with Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group, the parent company of the Ribs & Burgers, Italian Street Kitchen and Butcher and the Farmer restaurant brands to expand in Australia and New Zealand.


text:
GBA Blockchain Week Virtual Summit invited blockchain experts to their panel on the second day of their conference to talk about “Macro Trends for Blockchain in Asia”. The panel is moderated by Catherine Ross, Business Editor, Benzinga and with the following panellists: John Wang, Head of Eco Growth, Neo Global Development; Anndy Lian, Advisory Board Member, Hyundai DAC and Tony Tong, Chairman, Hong Kong Blockchain Association
“The trends are very obvious. Right now the hottest topics are NFT and DeFi. We do see new crypto plays like having the ability to borrow against your NFT collectables on DeFi platforms etc. I am also seeing promising growth in altcoin funds. I know a UK Digital Assets Management firm that is providing Asian centric altcoin funds to their clients.” Anndy Lian, Advisory Board Member, Hyundai DAC comments.
Tony Tong, Chairman of Hong Kong Blockchain Association also added that crypto payments will get massive adaption. “I won’t be surprised within a couple of years in Hong Kong, we are going to be seeing 7-11 or other retail chains accepting crypto payments.”
The panel later also touch on China’s DCEP project that has been fuelling a sense of urgency on CBDCs over the last two years. Now that GBA, and Hong Kong in particular, were chosen as a testing ground for deploying the digital yuan the world’s attention is focused on this key region. Speakers and high-profile experts from Asia, Europe, and the US will converge to GBA Blockchain Week 2021 to discuss major opportunities and prospects of DCEP.
In the other panels, key topics include regulation, including Hong Kong’s game-changing framework for virtual asset exchanges and virtual banks; fintech, with major tech solution providers working together closely with incumbent financial institutions and companies; tech talent and education, with Shenzhen rivalling the West with its «New Silicon Valley» innovation hub status; the role of key tech hubs; cutting-edge urban solutions for smart cities and smart state, and more.
This event has brought in many other blockchain leaders such as Justin Sun, Founder Tron; Mance Harmon, Co-founder, Hedera; Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.com; Brian Behlendorf, Executive Director, Hyperledger; Alex Mashinsky, Founder & CEO, Celsius Network.
Greater Bay Area Blockchain Week 2021 is the premier virtual event for an international audience passionate about technology, education, and business. A week-long event will convene thousands of online viewers to the brightest spot on today’s global financial map, and compliment GBA’s status of the world’s leading and most quickly developing business and technological cluster.
The event, including the core 2-day summit, will be Streamed Globally and in China from 30-31 March 2021.
The full video can be seen at https://youtu.be/12p7dg37BKI.
Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.
Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.


text:
One of the most rewarding aspects of holidays and birthdays is the opportunity to give a gift that causes genuine excitement and appreciation for that special lady in your life. However, sometimes the pursuit of the right gift can be a daunting challenge.
For those stumped shoppers – or others who suddenly had an anniversary pop up on the schedule – there’s a new business downtown that will surely put a smile on faces of those of “the fairer sex”. The Olive Branch, a unique gift boutique, will open its doors at 10 a.m. Saturday at N88W16595 Main St.
The Olive Branch carries unique gifts, fun cards, jewelry, candles, home décor, clothing, soaps, and more. Sisters Kathy Keene-Amundson and Kari Keene opened the boutique, which is a significant expansion of a small gifts section they operated at their salon – Avenue Hair Studio.
“We have a large variety of items you won’t find in the gift areas of conventional retail stores,” Keene said. “I think this is a great place for man who doesn’t know what to get their wife, girlfriend, or mother for the holidays. We have a lot of fun and unusual items.”
Keene’s second sister, Kim Woodly, has owned Willow - a similar boutique in Eau Claire – for over a decade. Keene helped out at the shop for a few weeks several years ago, and knew she wanted to offer a similar retail experience back home in Menomonee Falls.
“I really enjoy running the boutique because the customers that shop here are looking for something fun. They always seem to be in a good mood when they come to places like this,” Keene said.
Keene has joins several other businesses recently established in downtown Menomonee Falls. Just Kiln’ Time, Vibe Nutrition, Wondersound Music, It Is Vapor, Vivid Yoga Studios, and Hess Hypnosis opened within the last several months.
Keene grew up in Menomonee Falls, and hopes her business – along with all the others – can elevate Falls’ downtown experience to something like Cedarburg's. She said all the pieces are in place for downtown to become a must-visit location.
“It’s so pretty down here with the waterfalls and walking paths through the parks. We have more businesses opening and hopefully we can get more people excited to come walk the downtown area,” Keene said. “Hopefully things can continue to grow.”
The Olive Branch will hold an official grand opening sometime in October. Keene said they are also planning a Christmas open house and Ladies Night events before year’s end.
The Olive Branch is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.


text:
Social networking giant Facebook frequently purchases smaller companies to add to its capabilities and programming repertoire. The most recent purchase made by Facebook is the purchase of a mobile data compression startup called Onvao. Facebook purchased the company in an effort to make Internet access more affordable.
Facebook announced the purchase on Monday. Onavo is an Israeli company that created technology allowing users to do up to five times more using their data plan without additional fees. The company also provides an analytics tool allowing iOS and Android users to keep track of how much data is used by each application on their smartphone.
A Facebook spokesperson said:
We expect Onavo’s data compression technology to play a central role in our mission to connect more people to the internet, and their analytic tools will help us provide better, more efficient mobile products
Facebook plans to continue operating the Onavo office in Israel with the office becoming the Facebook Israel location. Onavo founders Guy Rosen and Roi Tiger believe that an infrastructure providing sustainable free access to basic Internet services is possible.
The purchase reportedly cost Facebook between $150 million and $200 million. Onavo was founded three years ago and the company has announced that after the transaction closes it will continue to offer its mobile utility application as a standalone brand.
SOURCE: PC World


text:
Star Wars Boba Fett figure sells for £18,000 at auction
A Star Wars toy that cost £1.50 when it came out 35 years ago has sold at auction for £18,000.
The figure, of bounty hunter Boba Fett, was put up for action by Craig Stevens, from Croydon, who is a former chairman of the UK Star Wars Fan Club.
He bought the figure, still in its original packaging, for £50 in 1990.
A further 69 lots of his Star Wars memorabilia sold for a combined total of £23,796 at Vectis Toy Auctioneers in Stockton, Teesside.
Mr Stevens, who still has some 10,000 items in his collection, said: "I was one of the children who queued up to see Star Wars when it was first released in 1977 and it had a tremendous effect on me.
"I began collecting everything that I could get my hands on connected to Star Wars and I have kept going right up to the present day."
The Boba Fett figure, made by Palitoy, is thought to be one of only four or five to exist in such pristine condition.
Mr Stevens described it as "a wrench" to sell, but said he wanted to raise the cash for a new house.
He said: "You think to yourself, 'I'm in a [rented] flat and I have got a box of figures worth as much as a house'.
"There's no contest, really."
He said he hoped the figure, acquired by an anonymous buyer who bid over the internet, had gone to "a good collector who will look after it and cherish it like I have".
Valuer Kathy Taylor said: "We do get a lot of toys here which make big money, but this is the first Star Wars collection that we have ever had that is of this calibre."


text:
We’re always up to something around here. Learn more about our people, our company, and our newsworthy work.
We’d like to formally congratulate our CEO, Jeff Zehnder, for his placement on New Orleans’ “50 Most Influential People” list! This award recognizes his years of dedication to our agency and the greater community.
The team here at Zehnder is excited to announce that we’re officially employee-owned. This year, we transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), putting the company shares (and its future) in the hands of our employees.
Zehnder is proud to announce winning 13 2020 Telly Awards (3 Golds, 9 Silvers, and 1 Bronze) for our TV and Video work across the agency. These awards span seven clients including our own self-promotional “Birthplace of Beyond” video. With in-house editing suite and virtual video and photo shoot capabilities, Zehnder is constantly on the cutting-edge of thought leadership and creative branding.
Zehnder is incredibly proud to announce we’re now the agency of record for world-renowned IRONMAN and the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon Series. We oversee all advertising and digital media, as well as research and analytics activities, for each entity.
Zehnder begins a new chapter on Monday, Sept. 24, when we move to our new office in New Orleans in the Canal Place building at 365 Canal Street.
Every once in a while, a unicorn opportunity crosses your path in the advertising business. It could be a particularly strong line of business, or maybe a product you’re very passionate about. In the case of BiomeBliss, it involved both.
Formerly known as Community Trust Bank, Origin Bank serves locations in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. As their partnersince 2013, Zehnder has helped guide them through the name change, a website rebuild, multiple campaigns and forays into social media, content marketing and more.
Since we began working with DuPage Medical Group (DMG) in 2011, our creative work has sought to emphasize the importance of the patient. In a way, it’s an unexpected approach, considering DMG is the only area provider that’s owned and led by physicians.
Zehnder recently had the opportunity to partner with the State of Louisiana in promoting their latest push for teacher recruitment.
In the spring of 2017, Zehnder partnered with The National WWII Museum to create an interactive experience honoring those who support the Museum. Our digital department worked closely with the WWII Museum staff to design four kiosks highlighting Museum Members, volunteers, veterans, and others who have helped this institution remain one of the top attractions in the world.
As the world of advertising changes, proving ROI and personalizing campaign efforts are more important than ever. And with “big data” available to most marketers, the idea of collecting the right insights to inform a smart marketing strategy seems easy — until the numbers simply don’t match up, or the details you need can’t be found.
There’s a big difference between being “clinical” and providing personalized, compassionate care. It’s a distinction Zehnder wanted to make crystal clear when we recently helped launch the new branding for Amedisys (Nasdaq: AMED) – one of the nation’s leading home health care, hospice and personal care providers.
Zehnder is proud to have created work recognized in the regional competition for AAF District 7, which is comprised of agencies from Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
We're honored to have created award-winning work for many of our clients in 2016. Zehnder took home 20 AAF Awards — including a Best of Show Print for Bollinger Shipyards and a Best of Show Video for the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation.
Zehnder took home three AAF Awards in Nashville for 30A’s Dumpster Diver recycled plastic apparel line. The agency helped 30A develop the Dumpster Diver identity which picked up a Silver AAF Award in the Integrated Brand Identity Campaign category.
Zehnder is excited to welcome the EMH Strategy team to our agency. After acquiring this New Orleans-based management consulting firm in January, we look forward to providing clients support in the business intelligence space.
Zehnder Communications, a full service advertising agency, has acquired Proofhouse, one of New Orleans’ leading social media firms. Terms of the transaction were not made public.
Some of Zehnder’s top talent has four legs. Molly, a 12-pound mix of sass and sweetness, serves as our director of first impressions in Baton Rouge. Sumner and Hewson, a King Charles Spaniel duo, provide comfort and fluffiness to our Nashville staff during long conference calls (we all know the kind).
The Nashville Business Journal recently released "The List," a list of businesses in Nashville ranked by industry and revenue. In the advertising category, Zehnder was listed fourth.
Zehnder is working with The 30A Company to launch an eco-friendly line of 30A-branded apparel online and in stores. The 30A Company is an international retail and lifestyle brand which celebrates small-town beach life along Florida’s Scenic Highway 30-A. Situated between the Gulf Coast and Choctawatchee Bay, Highway 30-A is ideally located for beach goers and nature lovers.
Zehnder has partnered with The 30A Company to launch a special edition charity tee to support Louisiana flood victims. All profits from the sale of 30A's "can't wash us away" Dumpster Diver t-shirt will go toward the Baton Rouge Area Foundation's flood relief fund. The fund supports local nonprofits who are assisting flood victims — including a handful of Zehnder's own staff members.
Zehnder Communications, a fully integrated advertising and public relations firm with offices in Louisiana and Tennessee, is now the agency of record for Piccadilly Restaurants LLC. Effective May 1, Zehnder handles all creative, media and strategic services for Piccadilly, one of the Southeast’s most recognizable brands.
Zehnder's Group Account Director Beth Swayne was recently nominated for AAF Nashville's Creative Driver Award.
Part of our mission here at Zehnder is to “Make a Difference.” It applies to everything we do, from making a difference in a client’s public perception to encapsulating everything a client stands for into one brand.
Zehnder Communications, a fully integrated advertising and public relations firm with offices in Tennessee and Louisiana, has named Henry Chassaignac president. He will also serve as executive creative director.
We're honored to have created award-winning work for our clients in 2015. Between our Baton Rouge, Nashville, and New Orleans offices, Zehnder took home 33 ADDY Awards — including a Best of Show award for copywriting in Baton Rouge and a Best of Show award for advertising industry self-promotion in New Orleans. Furthermore, our campaign for Tijuana Sweet Heat was honored with a Best of Show, Overall award in New Orleans.
Our Nashville office is especially excited to welcome the NHL All-Star game to our town at the end of January. Given all of the intense game-day talk, we're giving everyone a break with some (unscientific) sports stats that will make you smile.
In the past six months, Zehnder has worked with a number of new clients across multiple industries. We're proud to have partnered with so many great companies across different sectors and states — our client roster now includes everything from a global energy company in the South to a premium chocolate company in the West.
Zehnder recently helped contribute to the latest edition of Integrated Advertising, Promotion, and Marketing Communications, a textbook used by more than 400 university marketing and communications departments around the nation. Thirty-two pages of the book display Zehnder’s work as examples of success.
For the 12th year in a row, Zehnder Communications has been named to New Orleans CityBusiness magazine’s annual list of best places to work. Since it’s inception in 2003, Zehnder has made the “Best Places to Work” list each year and has taken top honors three times.
Our team proudly took home 46 ADDY awards this year, including 16 Gold awards. Our holiday illustrations took BEST of Show and our ADDY show category videos took a Judges’ Choice award in New Orleans. In addition, five of our Zehnder team members were distinguished as Ad Persons of the Year: Erin Hayes for Media, Allison Stiel for Social Media, Shawn Bailly for Interactive Developer, Lindsey Gonzales for Most Promising, and Lauren Wilson for Account Service.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising agency, has been named to Inc. magazine’s annual Inc. 500/5000 list of America’s fastest growing companies.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising agency, ranks No. 25 on the 2014 list of the 100 fastest growing companies headed by LSU graduates.
Zehnder Communications is a proud sponsor of The Big Payback, an inaugural online giving campaign administered by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising agency with offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, La., and Nashville, Tenn., has been honored with 10 international Telly awards for its 2013 work.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising agency, won three silver awards at the American Advertising Federation’s local competition this year.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising agency, won 16 Addys at the 2014 American Advertising Federation’s local competition, including two Best of Show honors.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising agency, won 14 gold and 16 silver Addy awards in addition to Best of Show honors in the local chapter of the American Advertising Federation’s annual competition. Several Zehnder staff members were honored as persons of the year in their individual fields.
New Orleans CityBusiness magazine has named Zehnder Communications one of the city’s best places to work for the 11th year in a row. Zehnder has made the list every year since it began in 2003 and has taken top honors three times.
Zehnder once again donated to community causes in all three cities where the agency has offices. The company made a similar gesture in 2012 and decided to donate funds in lieu of sending Christmas cards.
Zehnder Communications ranks No. 3 in CityBusiness magazine’s recent list of New Orleans’ fastest growing companies. With clients that include Sony Pictures, Burger King and major accounts like Visit South Walton in Florida, Zehnder revenues have increased nearly 55 percent over the past three years. We added more than a dozen employees in the past year alone.
Maroon 5 edged out Fleetwood Mac as the act mentioned most frequently in social media posts during this year’s Jazz & Heritage Festival, while Crawfish Monica was the most mentioned dish and the weather remained one of the hottest topics.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising agency, took home 17 awards at the 2013 American Advertising Federation’s Baton Rouge competition.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising agency, won two awards at the American Advertising Federation’s local competition this year.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising agency, took home seven awards at the 2013 American Advertising Federation’s New Orleans competition.
Zehnder has decided to handle Christmas differently this year. We’re not sending gifts to our client family. Instead, the agency made donations to community foundations in each city where we have offices.
Compiled by Zehnder Media Director Joann Habisreitinger
For the 10th year in a row, Zehnder Communications has been named to New Orleans CityBusiness magazine’s annual list of best places to work. Since it began in 2003, Zehnder is the only company to make the “Best Places to Work” list each year.
While husband-wife duo Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert won Song of the Year at this year’s CMA awards on Nov. 1, 2012, Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” generated more online buzz, according to research by Zehnder Communications.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising and public relations firm, has been named the agency of record for the South Walton Tourist Development Council, which promotes tourism for 16 beach communities in Walton County, Florida.
Grey Goose vodka and the classic Bloody Mary were among the biggest social media topics during Tales of the Cocktail, the annual New Orleans libation celebration billed as the world’s premier cocktail festival.
Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean stole the digital spotlight last weekend at the 2012 Bayou Country Superfest.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising agency, has won three national gold ADDY Awards for its work with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.
New Orleans CityBusiness magazine has named Zehnder Communications one of the city’s best places to work for a record ninth consecutive year. Zehnder took first place among small businesses in 2011 for the second year in a row and is the only company to receive the honor every year since the competition began in 2003.
Track the progress of Mardi Gras parades in real time this Carnival season with Experience Mardi Gras, a new app downloadable to Apple® or Droid® mobile devices free of charge.
Zehnder Communications was recently recognized as a New Orleans CityBusiness’ 2010 Best Place to Work. Zehnder has received the honor every year since the competition was established in 2002. Best Places to Work honors 50 area companies which are recognized for treating their employees as their most important asset. Businesses are selected based on benefits, average salary, health care, paid vacation and employee programs.
Zehnder Communications, a full-service advertising and public relations company, has expanded its operations with a new office in Nashville, Tenn. The company also has locations in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La.
Zehnder Communications, a Louisiana-based, fully integrated advertising firm, announces an agreement with the New Orleans Voodoo Festival to design a custom augmented reality (AR) mobile application for the 2009 festival, the first AR application developed for a music concert.
Jeff Zehnder Recognized as one of New Orleans’ Top 50 Most Influential People
Zehnder Moves to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Zehnder Takes Home 13 Telly Awards
Zehnder Named Agency of Record for IRONMAN, Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon Series
Same Great Agency, Better Workspace
Zehnder Helps Launch First-in-Class Prebiotic Supplement
“Return on Relationships” campaign shows meaning of true connections in banking
Zehnder Teams with DMG to Show the Value of Physician Leadership
Zehnder Helps the Louisiana Department of Education Prove How Teachers are Irreplaceable
Zehnder & The National WWII Museum: Honoring the Past with Modern Day Technology
Learn How Data Drives Our Work
Zehnder Helps Amedisys Launch New Brand
Zehnder Wins Regional Best of Show in AAF District 7
Zehnder Wins Two Best Of Show Honors at New Orleans AAF Awards
Zehnder Wins Three Silver Nashville AAF Awards for 30A’s Dumpster Diver Apparel
Zehnder Acquires EMH Strategy
Zehnder Acquires Social Media Firm
Rescuing Dogs — and People — With a Walk in the Park
Zehnder Named a Top 5 Advertising Agency in Nashville
Zehnder Helps Launch 30A Dumpster Diver™ Apparel Line
Helping Louisiana Flood Victims
Zehnder Hired as Agency of Record for Piccadilly Restaurants LLC
Swayne Nominated for AAF Nashville's Creative Driver Award
Making a Difference With Blue Pinwheels
Zehnder Names Chassaignac President
Zehnder at the ADDY Awards
Long Hair & Missing Teeth: Crucial Considerations for the NHL All-Star Game?
Zehnder Welcomes New Clients
Zehnder in Print
Zehnder on Best Places List for 12th Straight Year
Zehnder at the ADDYs
Zehnder Included in Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private U.S. Companies for 2014
Zehnder Ranks No. 25 in ‘LSU 100’ List of Companies
Zehnder Sponsors The Big Payback
Zehnder Wins 10 International Telly Awards
Zehnder Wins 3 Silver at Nashville Ad Fed Awards
Zehnder Wins 16 Addys in Baton Rouge Market
Zehnder Wins Big at Addy Awards
For 11th Straight Year, Zehnder on ‘Best Places to Work’ List
Zehnder Donates For Christmas '13
Zehnder named one of Fastest Growing Companies
Maroon 5 Most Mentioned in Jazz Fest Social Media
Zehnder Wins 17 Awards at B.R. Ad Fed Competition
Zehnder Wins 2 Awards at Ad Fed Competition
Zehnder Wins 7 Awards at Ad Fed Competition
It’s About More Than Just Stuff
Key Stats For Super Bowl XLVII
Zehnder on Best Places List for 10th Straight Year
Shelton, Lambert Are Big CMA Winners, But ‘Pontoon’ is Show’s Hottest Topic
Zehnder Chosen to Market Florida Tourism Council
Grey Goose, Bloody Marys Reign at Tales of the Cocktail
Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean Create Buzz at Bayou Country Superfest
Zehnder Wins 3 National Gold ADDYs
Zehnder Named 'Best Place to Work’ Record 9th Consecutive Year
NEW MARDI GRAS APP TRACKS PARADES IN REAL TIME
Zehnder Recognized in Best Places to Work for the 8th Year
Zehnder Opens Nashville Office
New Orleans Firm To Create First "AR" Application Designed For Music Concert


text:
In the household cleaning products aisle at Walmart, you’ll find a famous brand’s spray bleach cleaner selling (as of this writing) for $3.28. Not too far away, with a sharp eye, you’ll find the same-sized spray bottle bearing the Walmart private label, Great Value, for 98 cents.
A recent search on Amazon for “oxford dress shirts for men” returned, at the top of the page, a famous brand’s sponsored listing for its shirts, priced between $30 to $40. Scrolling down, the same product under Amazon’s Essentials private label is listed for about $20.
Private labeling was already a staple of big-box retailers before the pandemic, for retail giants like Walmart and Target, and for major niche players. In 2018, Urban Outfitters reported that over half of its business was generated by private-label goods.
Now, driven by supply chain disruptions, financially battered consumers, and creeping inflation, the future of private labeling seems to have arrived just about everywhere, and in some unlikely categories. For example, Walmart has just launched a private label drug, an insulin analog for diabetics, that is up to 75 percent cheaper than the competition and available only through the company’s 5,000 or so pharmacy departments.
Customers are applauding, according to a survey last year of 2,000 U.S. consumers by Stamford, CT-based Daymon, a private-labeling consultancy. Daymon reported that more than 80 percent rated private brands as good as or better than equivalent branded products.
COVID-19, as it turns out, may have been the perfect storm for scrambling the rules of retail, and a powerful stimulus for a private label boom, especially in apparel. The pandemic did what billions in marketing dollars never could. Consumers are getting rid of their tired, out-of-style garments along with those rendered unwearable due to expanding waistlines. According to a recent Associated Press report, we’re in the midst of a “pandemic clothing purge.” The apparel market appears poised to boom, and the fashion resale category already has.
The most significant challenge for retailers appears to be the sudden interruptions on the supply side. Not only have inbound cargos from Southeast Asia crowded our major ports waiting to unload, but the March grounding of a mega-ship in the Suez Canal and the traffic jam it caused was a reminder of the risks of such long supply chains, especially for private-label goods. From grain to disposable diapers, interest is now high in “on-shoring” and “near-shoring” — making things here, or close to here, instead of over there.
Wherever supply chains begin, the relationship between retailer and private label source is becoming a discrete issue for managers, says Daymon president Michael Taylor. In a recent column on the Wall Street Journal, he said his firm had looked at a cross-section of U.S. retailers and determined that, “Those with long-term supplier relationships outpaced their competition in terms of product movement on shelf by up to 30 percent. Even in times of struggling distribution,” he said, “these retailers still earned roughly 20 percent more dollar growth than the market average.”
Private labeling is no longer confined to mass market retailers. Machus is a 10-year-old specialty clothing boutique in Portland, Oregon that had been experimenting with private labeling off and on. According to news site The Fashion Law, last year owner Justin Machus “began committing more time, energy and budget into the company’s private label brand, and it has paid dividends.”
Machus’ Private Label apparel appears on the store’s website alongside its branded products, providing customers with, “unique styles that complement the designer brand assortment in the store at an accessible price point.”
As the private label trend evolves from the “cheaper than the other guy” model to something far more sophisticated, the opportunity comes with another challenge for retailers who have been accustomed to letting suppliers like the fashion industry determine what’s hot and what’s not.
This means investing in the same kind of rigorous consumer research that brands do to guide their design and production decisions. It also means retailers will be more exposed to the risks of missed opportunities and expensive flops.
Business News Governmental News Finance News
Need Your Help Today. Your $1 can change life.


text:
The U.S. Department of Energy is auctioning off a $50 million loan it made to the now-defunct Vehicle Production Group LLC, which makes wheelchair-accessible vans that run on compressed gas. If successful, the government may have found a way to recoup loans funded by U.S. taxpayers that was thought to have been written off. So reports Reuters.
VPG closed its doors earlier this year after running out of cash. The DOE and VPG have been in talks with potential buyers for the company. The company’s former CEO, John Walsh, said in an email that VPG is “in the process of being purchased and should be back in production soon.”
Whoever buys VPG’s loan could either push for repayment or exchange it for equity in the new company, Reuters reports.
VPG was awarded $50 million under the government’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, which also provided funding to Ford Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Tesla Motors Inc.
The program also awarded $529 million to hybrid sports car maker Fisker Automotive. Fisker, like VPG, had trouble meeting the performance targets spelled out in its loan agreements. It currently owes the DOE $192 million.
Unlike VPG, Fisker, which has not built a car in more than a year, has not yet been able to find a buyer. Earlier this year, some investors in Fisker tried to buy the government’s loan at a discount with the intent of turning the company around. Their request led the DOE to investigate the possibility of selling such loans, Reuters reports.
Fisker declined to comment.
If the Energy Department can sell VPG’s loan successfully in an auction, the method may prove to be a way for government officials to get rid of other green-tech loans that have stopped performing. The auction was held Thursday. Energy Department officials did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
In the meantime, some don’t see the value in either Fisker or VPG.
“I just don’t see a great argument for making the bid and resurrecting either of them,” said Brett Smith, an analyst with the Center for Automotive Research.
To read the full Reuters article cited in this story, click here


text:
EbLens is now open at Destiny USA.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A new sneaker and fashion retailer is now open at Destiny USA.
EbLens, which has more than 40 locations throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island, sells sneakers, accessories and clothing.
The store is well-known for carrying popular sneaker styles and brands, and features merchandise for men, women and children.
"EbLens is an exciting addition to Destiny USA, and for sneakerheads and urban fashionistas alike," said Destiny USA's director of Marking Aiden McGuire. "With its broad lineup of popular brands, including Nike, Timberland, Jordan, and more, EbLens is sure to have something for everyone this holiday season."
The new store is on the second floor of Destiny USA's Expansion across from Eddie Bauer.


text:
The gigabit era has well and truly landed. Now the debate has moved beyond 1Gbit/s, 2Gbit/s and even 5Gbit/s services. Indeed, fixed broadband front-runners -- including those in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore -- already have deployed 10Gbit/s services.
Ovum data finds 29 operators have either deployed or announced deployment plans for 10Gbit/s services. Of these, 12 are in commercial operation. In competitive markets, operators now offer gigabit services (or trials or planned deployments) over next-gen PON technologies such as 10G-EPON, XG-PON, XGS-PON and NG-PON2, which can support even higher speeds -- up to 40 Gbit/s -- and a greater number of households. Next-gen PON equipment remains costly compared with the current generation, but the costs per gig are dropping quickly.
Segmentation is Becoming Paramount in Gigabit Era
"The 10Gbit/s gigabit era will command business model innovation. Segmentation of different services for different use groups will become more paramount, and that requires operators to think outside the box on charging for these different groups" -- Nicole McCormick, Ovum
Market competition rather than consumer demand drives the trend toward gigabit services. There is a sense of urgency among operators in mature markets where fixed broadband revenue is under pressure due to slower growth. In markets such as the US and Singapore, some consumers are even cutting the cord on fixed broadband services. For all operators, a gigabit upgrade offers the opportunity to appeal to tech-savvy, high-spending customers and earn a premium over lower-speed tiers. After all, the premium for 10 Gbit/s is significantly high. Ovum's research of select countries, found 10 Gbit/s commands a very high premium -- in the region of 215% to 327%, compared with 1 Gbit/s. As you can tell, that is very attractive for margin-squeezed service providers.
Who, then, is the target market for 10 Gbit/s? Well, that depends on the market.
The fundamentals of network security are being redefined -- don't get left in the dark by a DDoS attack! Join us in Austin from May 14-16 at the fifth annual Big Communications Event. There's still time to register and communications service providers get in free!
In the competitive market of Japan, the 10Gbit/s battle focuses around the consumer. Fiber disrupters -- including KDDI, Tokai Cable Net, Sonet (Sony Networks) and NCT -- challenge the incumbent with competitive 10Gbit/s pricing for consumers.
However, elsewhere, the battle has more breadth. In the US, for example, Verizon is deploying NG-PON2, which offers support for up to 40 Gbit/s downstream, with the ability to add and support multiple wavelengths or assign them to different customers as needed (for example, one for residential, one for businesses and one for mobile backhaul). Serving both consumers and businesses on a single unified network is an efficient way to maximize capacity. (See Verizon, Calix Deploy Commercial NG-PON2 .)
Globally, operators will continue to target 10Gbit/s services to enterprises and businesses that are more likely to pay higher premiums. Having such network bandwidth will also provide new wholesale opportunities -- such as connecting 5G basestations (see figure).
On the consumer front, meanwhile, there is still no generic user application that is bandwidth-hungry enough to truly drive customer demand to gigabit services -- and that isn't going to change any time soon. Over the next five years, due to a lack of demand-drivers for 10 Gbit/s by consumers, we do not see 10Gbit/s services becoming mass-market. It will be a niche but more lucrative market than 1 Gbit/s, however. The most obvious 10Gbit/s niches for consumers are high-end virtual reality and augmented reality gamers, and to a lesser extent, home workers with large data-volume requirements (such as sending medical images).
The 10Gbit/s gigabit era will command business model innovation. Segmentation of different services for different use groups will become more paramount, and that requires operators to think outside the box on charging for these different groups. Consumer segmentation by mobile operators today is more pronounced than in the fixed broadband world. Mobile operators have become better at segmentation in the past couple of years, particularly around mobile bundles aimed at students and kids. However, segmentation is not synonymous with fixed broadband, but that must change as operators grapple with more expensive offers for real-time VR gamers versus the typical broadband user.
Although Ovum expects adoption of 4K video services and other such bandwidth-intensive applications to grow fast, it will remain difficult to convince the mass-market consumer to pay a premium for 10 Gbit/s over lower-speed tiers such 1 Gbit/s. Consumers want higher quality (especially for video), but most will not even need a 1Gbit/s pipe within the next five years, since a 50Mbit/s to 100Mbit/s throughput will suffice for most consumers' Internet apps to work and work well. Therefore, we urge fixed broadband operators not to erode the value of the 10Gbit/s pipe and avoid intense tariff wars. Hopefully, Japan will remain the exception.
— Nicole McCormick, Practice Leader, Broadband and Multiplay, Ovum. Follow on Twitter @Ovum or @NicoleMc_Ovum.


text:
tech2 News StaffJul 11, 2014 09:00:50 IST
Updated: Motorola had promised to start rolling out KitKat update this week, and here it is. Some Moto E users have started receiving 4.4.4 KitKat update. The company has released a 57.9MB OTA file. Moto device owners can check for new updates under Settings > System updates.
Motorola has promised to start rolling out the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for its Moto devices this week. All three devices, the Moto G, Moto X and Moto E entered the Indian market via Flipkart. During the launch, Motorola had guaranteed future OS updates.
And in keeping with the promise, Motorola has announced the news via its official Twitter account. In a tweet, the company states that it has begun rolling out KitKat, 4.4.4 for all three Moto devices in India, and should reach users this week.
We've begun rolling out Android, KitKat, 4.4.4 for Moto E, Moto G & Moto X this week in India! Expect an update on your #Moto soon!
— Motorola India (@MotorolaIndia) July 5, 2014
While Moto G and Moto E are considered its bestselling devices, the slightly higher-end Moto X has also captured the attention of audiences. Aimed at budget users, the Moto E is priced at Rs 6,999. It sports a 4.3-inch qHD display, 1GB RAM, 1850mAh battery and the company has guaranteed Android 4.4 KitKat with future updates. Check out our Moto E review.
The Moto G retails at Rs 12,499 for the 8GB and Rs 13,999 for the 16GB. It is easily one of the best value-for-money offerings under Rs 15,000 and quite possibly under Rs 20,000 as well. Read our complete Moto G review.
While Moto G changed the mainstream smartphone landscape and proved that we needn’t rely on local brands for good specs and low price, the Moto X sitting in the mid-range segment, priced at around Rs 23,000, puts quad-core and octa-core phones to shame. Here's our complete Moto X review.


text:
The US and European Union are working towards a steel trade agreement in the face of carbon regulations and their self-imposed deadline of 31 October, Kallanish learns from monitoring the US Chamber of Commerce (CoC) report.
The EUs carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) went into effect on 1 October. It calls for upholding the carbon price regulations set under the EU’s emissions trading system. The effort seeks to ensure that EU producers are not facing competition from imports that are not subject to the carbon price regulation.
To avoid furthering a trade war between the two entities after imposition of the Trump-era Section 232 measures, the two began what they are calling Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium (EU-US GSA).
Katherine Tai, US trade representative, says the sides are working “to discourage trade in emissions-intensive steel and aluminum products that contribute to global non-market excess capacity from other countries and to ensure that domestic policies support lowering the GHG emissions intensity of these industries.”
The US lost $3.5 billion in downstream revenue as a result of the Section 232 tariffs, according to a study by the United States International Trade Commission, which also concluded that US importers bore the cost of the steel and aluminium tariffs.
Kristen DiLandro USA


text:
Spam, a well-known brand of canned cooked meat and a popular South Korean holiday gift, has attained 4 trillion won ($3.54 billion) in cumulative sales since its launch 32 years ago.
CJ CheilJedang said Wednesday that it had sold around 1.2 billion 200-gram cans of Spam in the product’s history -- the equivalent of 24 cans for each person in Korea.
Spam has become an indispensable item in Korean households. (Yonhap)
Spam was introduced to Korea by the US army during the Korean War, and domestic production started in 1987. CJ CheilJedang manufactures the brand with technical cooperation from the US company Hormel.
In Korea, Spam is a side dish that is especially popular as a gift during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays.
In 2006, 20 years after the product’s launch in Korea, annual sales hit the 100 billion won mark. Its popularity continued to soar, with annual sales reaching 300 billion won in 2016.
A typical Spam holiday gift set (Yonhap)
As of 2017, Spam’s market share reached 50 percent. Last year’s annual sale figure of 400 billion won created a 300 percent sales gap with its closest competitors in the industry.
CJ attributes the food’s popularity to its status as the holiday gift of choice since the 2000s. Spam gift sets account for 60 percent of annual sales, the company said.
CJ predicts 480 billion won in sales this year and a two-digit percent sales increase from last year. The company said it plans to increase the supply of Spam gift sets for the upcoming holiday, with prices ranging from 30,000 won to 40,000 won.
By Cho Hyee-su (email@example.com


text:
(114 Total References)
Jim Spinelli, Vice Chair
Phone (C): 481-1112
Jim SpinelliCity Administrator Phone: 208-788-4221 ext. 11E-mail: email@example.com
Community Oversight Committee
Hailey Chamber of Commerce ...
Hailey Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jim Spinelli is working to put Hailey on the Tourist destination map
...Hailey Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jim Spinelli has big plans for the city of Hailey.
works alone from a tiny office at the Community Campus in Hailey, but it doesn't matter to him how small his office is.
days criss-crossing town, networking with merchants and business owners who share his
"I'd like to see the city model itself as an event organizer," he
funded and took part in a 60-second Plum TV advertising spot which is running three times a day locally and getting looks on its web site at seven other resort towns in the Plum network, including Martha's Vineyard, Aspen and Telluride.
presented a proposal to city council last week that could bring his
office another $20,000 to fund a full-time assistant to help him fulfill his
vision.While city officials mull over his
is busy looking for a Main Street location for the Chamber office.The new location will put him in the midst of the thriving business community he
"It worked," said Spinelli
."Despite the lousy weather this year, we had 50 percent of our vendors come from those areas." The South Valley Merchants Association
established the End of the School carnival for the third year this June, raising $1600 to fund the Hailey Hometown Hoopla Christmas celebration, which Spinelli
said is in line for Chamber funds to replace and upgrade holiday lighting in the city. "The SVMA is well on its way to becoming a committee of the Hailey Chamber of Commerce," said Spinelli, who also sits on the board of directors of the Hailey Arts Commission.
said the process of mounting the outdoor exhibition was expedited by knocking on the doors of businesses rather than going through the lengthy permitting process at City Hall. Spinelli
said a portion of Hailey Chamber of Commerce
funds went this month to promoting weekend getaway packages aimed at "rubber tire tourists" in the Magic and Treasure Valleys and Boise.These packages were initiated by The Company of Fool's, Liberty Theater on Main Street.
"These packages are aimed at attracting visitors who would like to enjoy the theater, but also would like to stay and hike, hunt and fish.We need to support our local hotels, especially during the slack months," he
also networks with the Sun Valley Ketchum Chamber of Commerce
, partnering in The Trailing of the Sheep Labor Day celebration.He also works with the Fly Sun Valley Alliance, promoting Hailey's proximity to the country's oldest destination ski resort.
believes Hailey also can provide an excellent winter destination of its own.
"There is snow-shoeing, snow-mobiling and Nordic ski trails in Quigley Canyon, "he
is working to organize a regional, competitive cheerleading meet at the Wood River Middle School
"In early December they will bring 300 to 400 kids to the regional meet," said Spinelli
Hailey Chamber of Commerce


text:
Earle G. Hall: “The fallacy that a mobile app will not work in gaming is preposterous”
The CEO of AXES.ai shared his vision about integrating crypto and digital wallets into gambling regulatory frameworks.
Exclusive interview.- Earle G. Hall, the CEO of the fintech AXES.ai, gave Focus Gaming News an exclusive interview to talk about the future of the gaming industry and its integration with digital payment methods.
In addition, Hall shared his views on cryptocurrency and provided details about Axes as the Gala Dinner sponsor for Regulating the Game London 2023.
Key industry stakeholders in NSW, Australia have been advocating for digital wallets in the gaming environment for many years, and leading operators globally are implementing digital wallets to provide customers choice as well as harness the benefits from digital innovation. Can you talk about some of the digital payment transitions you have seen and where it is working well?
The greatest digital wallet innovation is wechat. They have 1.2 billion users that are KYC’ed, and very happy to be so to transact and interact every day.
The second greatest digital wallet innovation is the Starbucks App. With 10 million active mobile users, there are more than 5 million transactions weekly. They are all KYC enabled with their credit card and information in the app.
The fallacy that a mobile app will not work in gaming is preposterous. The fallacy that players will not want to do KYC… well that expired with Facebook, Netflix and every other app that requires basic information to identify the consumer.
The speed of adoption of digital wallets is dramatically increasing in all consumer segments, except gaming. The why is important. If the consumer is adopting digital spending in every other segment, where is the blockage in gaming? It is not the consumer.
“The speed of adoption of digital wallets is dramatically increasing in all consumer segments, except gaming.”Earle G. Hall, AXES.ai CEO.
Cryptocurrency is an emerging payment method with increasing mainstream adoption, and can already be used to fund bets with unregulated gambling operators offshore. Do you have a view about integrating crypto into gambling regulatory frameworks and what are the potential benefits and risks?
There is no risk. Regulate eWallets. Approve eWallets the same way you approve games, technology and suppliers.
If the consumer wants to pay with a digital or a cryptocurrency, they are certifying that the funds are not coming from illicit or illegal sources.
We absolutely ignore that paper currency can flow from illicit sources whereas everything in the digital world is traceable and transparent. With regulated eWallets, there is no risk except for a player that wants to make an illegal declaration.
Imagine if we could do this for paper funds in a casino!
Anti-money laundering and social responsibility shortcomings remain a key focus of gambling regulators. What initiatives is Axes aware of globally that are helping to combat the risk of money laundering and support safer gambling outcomes?
Gaming regulators rely on regulations and suppliers to protect our industry.
Right now, the protections in the land-based industry are largely theoretical. From money laundering to responsible gaming, it is largely impossible to track, trace and police illicit activities.
The answer is simple. In a cashless gaming industry, KYC can transform the industry. It can eliminate the bad and do as it has in other consumer/entertainment segments: drastically increase revenue as player knowledge and understanding leads to increased player loyalty and engagement.
The only deterrent to money laundering is KYC. It draws the line between the theoretical and the real. Poland is leading the charge in real-time KYC traceability and can implement the most powerful AML policies on the planet because the government has real-time, quantitative data.
“In a cashless gaming industry, KYC can transform the industry.”Earle G. Hall, AXES.ai CEO.
The Kindred Group has embarked on a bold mission towards zero gambling harm from its platforms. Kindred is measured and reporting on the percentage of revenue that accrues from harmful gambling and striving to bring this number to zero. This is a tremendous and no doubt complicated initiative that directly confronts a key criticism of the industry form some quarters i.e. its overreliance on harmful gambling. How can technology and innovation support positive play and safer gambling outcomes and secure a sustainable industry?
Technology is the only solution. Once all players are obliged to KYC… artificial intelligence can detect in real-time the probability of addiction and money laundering.
UNLV, Sightline and AXES are pioneering quantitative AI research in this realm.
Axes is the Gala Dinner sponsor for Regulating the Game London 2023, and is also sponsoring the Sydney, Australia program in March. What are the benefits of being a key partner with Regulating the Game?
RTG is a pioneer in the voice to embrace technology to solve our core issues in our Industry. AXES is humbled to be a part of such an iconic movement to evolve our Industry from gambling to entertainment.
RTG obliges dialogue, inspires innovation and most importantly, brings people together who really care. AXES is so grateful to be a part of this movement.
RTG London is attracting voices from all over the world to speak louder and louder about how to embetter our Industry and AXES is so proud to be a partner, sponsor and speaker. We all have the same goal: make the industry safer and more fun.


text:
23rd Annual Texas Onion Fest Kicks Off
WESLACO — The 23rd annual Texas Onion Fest kicked off in Weslaco and many residents came out to enjoy the festivities the event had to offer.
"Dancing horse show, car show, boat show, kiddie rides, you name it," said Martha Noell, Weslaco Chamber President.
The event celebrates the 1015 sweet onion that was scientifically developed by members at the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service in the early 80's.
"Came out here for the 1015's, we've already had the bloomin' onion and it was bloomin' good," said Bob Tretiak, Canada visitor.
Winter Texans love to come out and spend some of their last days in Texas enjoying the fest.
"Just come out here, spend the afternoon and soak up the sun. Have a few beers and just look at what's going on, great, what a great place," said Tretiak.
Noell says the fest last year brought out nearly 10,000 people.
"This is the first year we've gone to two days so we have high hopes for sunday too, so we're hoping it's more than that," said Noell.
Noell says there are around 20 food vendors providing a wide variety of food choices.
"We make sure we don't have too many of the same things, so people have a lot of choice for good eats," said Noell.
The event does make some profit, but it pretty much pays for itself.
"We spend a lot of money putting it together and advertising it and promoting Weslaco in the process."
The great food, live music and atmosphere is what brings visitors back year after year.
"We haven't been here before and we love it here, we're gonna come back," said Tretiak.
Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors...and $2 for children.
The fest ends Sunday at 6 PM.


text:
The organization once banked on the millions that Google paid for search traffic from the Firefox browser. Now it relies on Yahoo, Baidu and others, and it expects revenue to grow.
The inaugural New West Summit -- devoted to the marriage of pot, tech, business and media -- serves as the site for a kind of passing of the torch. Or should we say a passing of the pipe?
Light up your life with a handheld flashlight that makes you think the sun magically came out early.
Netflix's December offerings look strong with the star-studded "A Very Murray Christmas" and a new show by Bill Burr.
Stores want you to believe you can get a great deal on the day after Thanksgiving, but is it better to stay at home?
You've seen the teasers and trailers, but now we have a clip that lets the scene roll...for at least 15 seconds.
In this edition of Ask Maggie, CNET's Marguerite Reardon explores whether prepaid brands owned by the major wireless operators offer a true advantage over traditional services.
These holiday discounts are perfect for getting the best PC experience from Fallout 4, Star Wars Battlefront and other new games.
Is the Millennium Falcon alive? That's just one of the questions answered when I watched the original Star Wars films in the popular Machete Order.
Technically Incorrect: Ahmed Mohamed, the 14-year-old who was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school and then became a hero at Google and Facebook, is now demanding compensation and an apology.


text:
Have you ever fancied having your favorite AI buddy in your pocket? Well, your dream just came true. OpenAI, the trailblazers of the AI landscape, has launched an iOS app for ChatGPT, the large language model that’s been making waves in the tech world.
Since its online release, ChatGPT has rapidly gained over 100 million users, causing a flurry of excitement and innovation in the tech industry. With the launch of the ChatGPT app on iOS, the landscape is changing again, and it’s a thrilling time to be part of it.
The app launch comes at a time when the tech industry is buzzing about the potential and risks of AI. It’s been described as a potential “printing press moment” for our generation, and that feeling of being on the cusp of something truly revolutionary is tangible.
The ChatGPT app is pretty much identical to the web version. You can ask it anything, from seeking unique birthday gift ideas to learning how to politely decline an invite. But what’s super cool about the app is the added voice input feature. Now, you can simply speak your questions or prompts to your phone’s microphone. It’s like having a super-smart voice assistant that’s always ready to chat.
The ChatGPT app also syncs your history across devices. So, if you’re asking it about the history of pizza on your computer and want to continue on your iPhone, you can do that seamlessly. It’s like having an AI buddy that always knows what you’re thinking about, without the awkwardness of explaining where you left off.
The app is free, but there’s a ChatGPT Plus subscription for $20 a month that offers some sweet perks. With it, you get access to the next generation of ChatGPT and some extra benefits like faster response times and early access to new features. Plus, you can use ChatGPT even during peak times.
Oh, and did I mention it’s ad-free? That’s right, you can get instant answers without having to sift through ads or multiple search results. It’s like a breath of fresh air in a world where ads are constantly vying for our attention.
The ChatGPT app launched in the U.S. today, with plans to roll out to other countries soon. An Android version is also in the pipeline. So, Android users, your time to shine is coming soon, too.
Now, this might be a bit of a paradigm shift. The launch of the ChatGPT app might shake up how we use our phones to search and connect with information. But hey, change can be good, right? I, for one, am excited to see how this plays out. How about you? Ready to welcome ChatGPT into your mobile world? Let’s get chatting!
And don’t forget, the world of AI is evolving at a breakneck speed. Just this month, Google lifted the waitlist from its own AI chatbot. Competition is heating up, folks! So, buckle up and get ready for an exhilarating ride in the AI universe.
There you have it, folks. The ChatGPT era is going mobile. I’m not sure about you, but I can’t wait to download the app and start chatting away. It’s an exciting time to be a tech enthusiast, that’s for sure!


text:
Global starch producer Roquette Frères, S.A., Lestrem, France, announced today that Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals, LLC, a 50-50 joint venture formed with Solazyme Inc., San Francisco, in 2010 will be dissolved. Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals, also located in San Francisco, sought to commercialize microalgae-sourced, nutrition-focused ingredients.
The decision to terminate the joint venture was driven by divergent views on commercialization targets for Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals.
In a press release, Roquette says it has been a believer in microalgae as a raw material since 2008 and is well-positioned to independently continue with the development of nongenetically modified, innovative microalgae-sourced ingredients for nutritional applications. Roquette has invested significant resources and know-how into the commercialization of the microalgae-based food ingredients and remains committed to meeting market demands, while aligning the timing of its market launch and financial resources with its overall business objectives.


text:
A man from Australia may be in for some troubled waters for fishing with the help of drones.
Why is this such a big issue, you ask? Well, the man, who may face up to $10,000 in fines, used a drone to lift himself up while fishing. Using a drone to carry an entire person may lead to dangerous accidents, especially if the equipment does not fit the job description.
Fishing for the Stars
The man used a massive drone to lift himself up, using a chair tied to the flying machine. The entire scheme depended on the drone’s carrying prowess to lift the man up, a few feet above the water. This is where the trouble starts. Nocommercial drone out is capable of this. Therefore, one can safely assume that the drone the Australian man used is homemade. This brings up safety issues, as the drone is not under regulations.
The Australian man managed to fly successfully with the drone and back. The custom-made drone had twelve different rotors; enough to have the pushing power to lift one passenger. The numerous rotors also meant that it had a very loud buzzing noise accompanying the drone during its entire voyage.
While the custom drone can carry the driver, it does not come with any safety measures such as a personal cargo compartment. This meant that the man operating the drone had to improvise a seat – strapping two ropes at the end of a plastic lawn chair. The chair itself did not have any padding; it was a simple, ordinary chair meant for sitting.
The video of the drone fishing adventure went viral, although to the dismay of some. A single mistake – the ropes breaking, the chair overturning, or the drone malfunctioning midflight – could have been fatal for the passenger.
Officials remind drone owners to stick with store-bought drones instead of experimenting on their own.